Gautier Code Enforcement Officer Joe Bellas, at left, chats with resident Johnnie Sadler after a public workshop on revisions to the city's Animal Control Ordinance. (Joanne Anderson / gulflive.com)

GAUTIER, Mississippi -- Gautier Mayor Gordon Gollott and the city council listened to the concerns of citizens on Tuesday night on proposed revisions to the city's Animal Control ordinance.

Council chambers at City Hall were almost filled to capacity as the public responded to an invitation to an open workshop.

As Code Enforcement Officer Joe Bellas explained most of the revisions were of a "housekeeping" nature, he also called attention to several that were significant and/or had drawn public interest.

The majority of those who spoke in turn as the council went through the proposed revisions article by article were most concerned about determining how many animals are allowed per household. Among those in attendance was Lydia Sattler, Mississippi State Director of the Humane Society of the United States.

Resident Christy Wheeler noted the wording was not clear as the proposed ordinance revision would allow per person a maximum of five dogs or five cats or combination thereof at a single location.

"If this ordinance is passed, can those who are not in compliance be grandfathered in," Wheeler asked.

Bellas said Gautier's sister cities allowed anywhere from three to six animals per household.

Others asked how the city could even enforce cat and dog limits.

City Manager Samantha Abell said, "We are here to protect the quality of life of our citizens. Enforcement is complaint-driven. We are not going to be knocking on doors. The code is to protect our residents not punish them."

Resident Lee Colledge who has four cats and two dogs, said, "Why can't this be on a case-by-case basis? Some have inside pets, and some have outside pets within the limit that are a nuisance."

Resident Patrick Shannon cited an example in which just one animal, not cared for, would be too many in one case.

Resident Rebecca McKnight said she has 12 domestic cats and four feral cats that are well cared for. "I don't think we should be limited," she said.

Another asked what brought the issue of limitations up?

Bellas said the city attorney recommended the city ordinance conform to the state's code book.

Another resident suggested the city concentrate on those who hoard animals.

Larry Dailey, assistant chairman of the Planning Commission, said the city could add language to consider specific needs.

Christine Parker, a self-described animal lover, who owns four dogs and three cats, said, "I am a responsible pet owner. Because of my dogs, my house is the only one on my road that has not been broken into. I have a right to protect my property. I don't think numbers should be relevant. It comes down to who is responsible."

Sattler said many pets are like family to their owners.

Questions about agricultural land as it related to the ordinance also arose. A section in the proposed ordinance specifies how many livestock and fowl are allowed based on acreage numbers.

Councilman Hurley Ray Guillotte said that in the past people with large amounts of acres were not affected by animal ordinance numbers.

Gollott and Councilwoman-at-large Mary Martin and Councilmen Hurley Ray Guillotte, Casey Vaughan, Rusty Anderson and Adam Colledge all thanked those who came and assured them their input would be considered in their decision-making.

Anderson and Colledge both expressed their skepticism about the number limit on dogs and cats.

"We also need to look at one of our big problems, the need for spaying and neutering," Colledge said.

Anderson said, "There's enough language in the ordinance, but the numbers might be wrong. The main thing is to protect people from vicious dogs."

Guillotte said, "We need to use a little common sense. We got to make rules for those who do and those who don't care for their pets. We've got rural areas to consider."